AIGA 2011
- 27
- Oct
At the office I seem to be one of the lucky ones that get to leave the office for some personal development. Also lucky for me I chose a profession that has some amazing gatherings of creative people. I dug up a conference that I had heard about through one of my design organizations AIGA. In any other situations I would have returned to the HOWdesign conference which I attended a few years ago. Problem with that is the timing, it conflicts with a work conference every year which is a shame. Interesting enough I could make it this coming year but it would leave only a few days between the two events.
To start with I have not had the opportunity to go to a conference like this in a long time, last year I went to MacWorld instead which was good but was more driven by learning programs and seeing new releases and less about the designer’s frame of mind. It was a great opportunity for me to be around people that thought like me and help me expand my thinking. I tend to refer to my frame of mind as being a “creative” and that I feel like I am the only one at work. This event was a strong representation of “creatives.”
One of the main tracks I decided to follow had to do with data visualization. Man, was I in for it. I thought it was going to be how to make shiny charts and graphs that people like. The sessions turned out to be very enlightening and not only talked about rethinking information and even how some of the more advance visualizations were made. I think it was a great track for me, I feel like we are always fighting to make our content engaging while still teaching people something. That is a hell of a balancing act but I think it really game me a base to work with while making my stands on how we can leverage what I learned.
I really enjoyed the main sessions and I think they were more inspiration and eye opening. But there were a few that really stood out. I really channeled my inner rebel while listening to Dondeena Bradley from Pepsico talk about design and health within the company. I used to believe that the only way to change “the man” was from the inside. Now, years later, I have found proof that I am not the only person with that thinking. Many around me were not as sold on the idea of working for a large company like that but I knew where I stood. Another mind bender was Stuart Candy who fed into my beliefs that there were no limits to what a person can do, I mean, he is like a psychic that uses sociology and anthropology to predict how people will evolve.
Now all of the speakers weren’t design minds, but some were artists. Is there a difference? Yes and no, that is a whole discussion in itself. One being Sadik Kwaish Alfraji who game a very quiet but moving talk about his most recent work and how it related to his life. The second artist, who pretty much made my week, was Chip Kidd. Chip, a native Reading, PA artist, designs book covers. Seems trivial, I know, but his charisma and sense of humor really cemented my through of doing what you love to do. If there was a unified message in what I read and people I follow, this is it. Oh, and did I mention that he was working on a new Batman Graphic Novel? AND coined a new word?! (DOUCHEBOOB)
I continue to think about the people I had the privilege to listen to and the ones I met. My head is still spinning over the ideas and frame of mind I gained from being around all of those amazing people. I think starting off with a Alina Wheeler session on selling yourself was the best possible thing I could do. It turned into a HUGE ego boost which I think I needed at the time. It really helped me find meaning in what I do and why I do it. I think over that week I moved up a level in that category and it may take longer for me to fill into the shoes I am making for myself.
All in all, the trip was a huge success but it turned out to me more for my mind then for my technique at work. Both are equally important and I think my largest gift is design sense. Not fashion design, but designing plans, graphics, work flows, and just coming up with new ideas. I think the trip refueled that part of my brain or soul, depending on your beliefs. I need more time like this, or maybe I just need to get involved more locally in the design circles, god knows there are plenty of groups in DC.
Did I forget to mention that there was also a Maker Faire going on?! Fire, robots and other cool stuff to see. Kind of over priced for what all was there but still fun none the less.
